State Tournament: Non-Public Breakdown
We are in Day 2 of the State Tournament and the rest of the field opens up first round play today. Let’s give a breakdown of these groups. Next up is Non-Public. North A Section The North A group is…
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Continue ReadingWe are in Day 2 of the State Tournament and the rest of the field opens up first round play today. Let’s give a breakdown of these groups. Next up is Non-Public.
North A Section
The North A group is only a six-team field. However, it might be one of the most difficult. Hudson Catholic is the top seed.
Players to Watch
Kiannisha Santiago (Hudson Catholic)
Santiago is at the top of this deep Hudson Catholic squad. She lines up at opposite and on the outside. She has all of the shots and leads the way with 91 kills on the year.
Olivia Coughlin Olivia Coughlin 5'10" | S Immaculate Heart | 2021 State NJ (Immaculate Heart)
Coughlin is effecting almost every play for Immaculate Heart. Her volleyball IQ is off the charts and knows where to go with the ball to make the right play. She has 157 assists on the year.
Margeaux Morial (Kent Place)
Coming into the season, Morial was an unknown as Kent Place was looking to replace their setter. She has stepped and then some. The freshman has 200 assists on the year and is the catalyst. It will be interesting to see how she performs on this big stage.
Prediction
Hudson Catholic over Immaculate Heart
North B
The North B section of Non-Public features 9 teams with Morris Catholic as the top seed in the bracket.
Players to Watch
Teagan Hales (Newark Academy)
Hales is a versatile outside for Newark Academy. She has a great swing with excellent athleticism to make her a difficult cover. She has 111 kills and this squad will go as far as she can carry them.
Riley O’Hagan Riley O’Hagan 5'10" | S Morris Catholic | 2021 State NJ (Morris Catholic)
O’Hagan is involved in the match anyway she can. Primarily she is the setter but she can hit, pass, serve. She can do it all. Watch for her to be a factor in all phases of the match. She has 253 assists, 21 kills, 46 digs and 32 aces.
Hailey Fouche Hailey Fouche 5'11" | OH Montclair Kimberley | 2023 State NJ (Montclair Kimberly)
Fouche is the engine of the Montclair Kimberly squad. They use her in the middle, on the outside and sometimes even as a decoy to set up her teammates for scoring chances. You may see her take over this section of the tournament.
Prediction
Montclair Kimberly over Morris Catholic
South A
The South A section has 9 teams with St. John Vianney as the overall top seed.
Players to Watch
Mackenzie Bloss (St. John Vianney)
Bloss is a luxury to have as she always makes the right play. She’s an excellent setter with great court awareness to understand who the ball should be going to. She also spreads the wealth all over so nobody exactly knows where she is going to go with the ball.
Karin Ojeda Karin Ojeda 5'5" | S Donovan Catholic | 2021 State NJ (Donovan Catholic)
If you want to sit back and enjoy how someone plays the game. Don’t go any further than Ojeda. She is a player where her stats are deceiving but she makes it look effortless at times on the court. Watch for her to make a statement.
Bella Craig Bella Craig 5'3" | DS/L Camden Catholic | 2022 State NJ (Camden Catholic)
If you want to see someone who has not played much this season. Go watch Bella Craig Bella Craig 5'3" | DS/L Camden Catholic | 2022 State NJ . She’s the anchor to the Camden Catholic defense and will line up on the outside as well. Camden Catholic only played four times this season which hindered people to see her play.
Prediction
Donovan Catholic over St. John Vianney
South B
Lastly, we have the South B section that features 8 teams with Mother Seton as the overall top seed.
Players to Watch
Liahnna Orange (Mother Seton)
Orange continues to raise eyebrows and is the catalyst for Mother Seton. She is extremely accurate and has a wicked serve that gives opposing teams fits. She has 159 assists and 40 aces.
Gabriella Meloni (Roselle Catholic)
Meloni effects the game any way possible. If she is struggling in one area, she focuses on the others because she knows she can still impact the game. She can pass, hit, serve, block, and set need be.
Lauren Caswell (St. Rose)
St. Rose runs their offense through Caswell. She has a solid swing and knows her angles well to ensure not getting blocked. She’s a great defender as well in the back row with her anticipation to be in the right position to make a play.
Prediction
Mother Seton over Trinity Hall